GECs
Zee Entertainment launches the Media & Entertainment Industry’s largest Learning & Development program for front line managers
MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (ZEEL), a leading media and entertainment powerhouse, has announced a pioneering initiative ‘Embark’ for the capability development of its front line managers.
Embark will focus on building front line managerial capabilities, both behavioural and functional. This program has been undertaken with a strong belief that front line managers are the linchpin between the broad strategies of management and their on ground execution. Embark in its entirety will upskill 450 front line managers across the organization and will provide 25,000+ hours of training. It is one of the most ambitious capability building exercise undertaken by ZEEL & one of the largest L&D program in the M&E industry.
Based on behavioural, technical and digital skills, the program will be executed in four key phases that will empower, create and institutionalise the learning journey for a seamless transition of employees into their new managerial roles. Spanning seven months, the participants would go through multiple interventions inclusive of case studies, skill-drills, role-play, webinars & e-reads across touch-points to help build their managerial capabilities.
“Managers are culture carriers, performance multipliers, risk mitigators and brand custodians of any Company. With Embark, we aim to offer a holistic learning program for our front line managers that will empower them with an innovative and advanced working style and technical expertise,” said Mr. Animesh Kumar, Chief People Officer, ZEEL. “We are glad to partner with KPMG in India for this pioneering initiative that will help build a managerial capability intervention within the organisation focused on internal talent growth ” he further added.
“With the demand on organizations to constantly renew themselves, they can no longer adopt a short-term approach to building capability. As a business and a strategic imperative, we believe that organizations in the M&E industry must incorporate new-age and holistic learning designs that act as catalysts to enable them to build the right capabilities,” said Girish Menon, Partner & Head – Media & Entertainment, KPMG in India.
Considering the current disruptions, challenges, and emerging trends in the M&E industry, Embark will help reinforce ZEEL’s commitment to invest in its talent pool & bring in best practices on managerial effectiveness & leadership development.
To harness the power of making extraordinary the reality, ZEEL, through this partnership will build a motivated workforce that will continue to provide the Company with superlative performance across functions. The initiative will revolve around building an organizational ecosystem that attracts the best talent thereby enabling the Company to deliver exceptional performance.
GECs
Sebi sends show-cause notice to Zee over fund diversion, company responds
Regulator questions 2018 letter of comfort and governance lapses; company vows robust legal response
MUMBAI: India’s markets watchdog has reignited its long-running scrutiny of Zee Entertainment Enterprises, issuing a sweeping show-cause notice that drags the broadcaster and 84 others into a widening governance storm.
The notice, dated February 12, has been served by the Securities and Exchange Board of India to Zee, chairman emeritus Subhash Chandra and managing director and chief executive Punit Goenka, among others. At its heart: allegations that company funds were indirectly routed to settle liabilities of entities linked to the Essel Group.
The regulator’s probe traces its roots to November 2019, when two independent directors resigned from Zee’s board, flagging concerns over the alleged appropriation of fixed deposits by Yes Bank. The deposits were reportedly adjusted against loans extended to Essel Group entities, triggering questions about related-party dealings and board oversight.
A key flashpoint is a letter of comfort dated September 4, 2018, issued by Subhash Chandra in his dual capacity as chairman of Zee and the Essel Group. The document, linked to credit facilities availed by certain group companies from Yes Bank, was allegedly known only to select members of management and not disclosed to the full board—an omission SEBI believes raises red flags over transparency and governance controls.
Zee has pushed back hard. In a statement, the company said it “strongly refutes” the allegations against it and its board members and will file a detailed response. It expressed confidence that SEBI would conduct a fair review and signalled readiness to pursue all legal remedies to protect shareholder interests.
The notice marks the latest twist in a saga that has shadowed the broadcaster since 2019. What began as boardroom unease has morphed into a full-blown regulatory confrontation. The final reckoning now rests with SEBI—but the reputational stakes for Zee, and the message for India Inc on governance discipline, could scarcely be higher.
